When choosing your college education, it’s important to weigh factors like affordability, location, and return on investment percentages. With so many angles to consider, this process can seem daunting. Impactful News has narrowed down the selection pool in this ranking of the most affordable colleges with high acceptance rates in the Midwest.
The US News and World Report recently published its 2022-2023 Best Regional Colleges Midwest ranking. Using this tool, along with data from Niche.com, we’ve compiled this list of ten schools with high acceptance rates and low costs.
Affordable Midwest Colleges with High Acceptance Rates
#1 Donnelly College
- Tuition + fees: $8,706
- Location: Kansas City, KS
- Acceptance rate: 100%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 11:1
- Enrollment: 346
- Graduation rate: 13%
- Median earnings: $25,400
- Two-year employment rate: 84%
Donnelly College is a Catholic institution that offers bachelor’s, associate’s, and nursing degrees to a diverse student population. Students have access to programs in the fields of business, information systems, and nursing. The school’s mission is moral values, love, and community.
#2 Bismarck State College
- Tuition + fees: $8,776
- Location: Bismarck, ND
- Acceptance rate: 100%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 14:1
- Enrollment: 3,549
- Graduation rate: 48%
- Median earnings: $44,800
- Two-year employment rate: 93%
Bismarck State College is a polytechnic institution specializing in affordable, flexible, and experiential education. It offers 2 and 4-year degrees in various fields, such as cybersecurity, business and finance, and health sciences. The school operates by the core values of teamwork, inclusion, and integrity.
#3 Vincennes University
- Tuition + fees: $15,253
- Location: Vincennes, IN
- Acceptance rate: 100%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 21:1
- Enrollment: 16,389
- Graduation rate: 28.%
- Median earnings: $32,800
- Two-year employment rate: 91%
Located near the Illinois-Indiana border, Vincennes University is a vibrant cultural hub. The school offers certificates, associate’s, and bachelor’s degrees in journalism, philosophy, technology, and much more. Its mission is to make high-quality education both accessible and engaging.
#4 Grace Christian University
- Tuition + fees: $22,350
- Location: Grand Rapids, MI
- Acceptance rate: 100%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 14:1
- Enrollment: 1,049
- Graduation rate: 38%
- Median earnings: $28,600
- Two-year employment rate: 84%
Grace Christian University was founded on compassion, ministry, and truth. Its mission is to educate students culturally and spiritually by offering comprehensive degrees in various specializations. Such programs include biology, history, urban science, and more.
#5 Dickinson State University
- Tuition + fees: $11,218
- Location: Dickinson, ND
- Acceptance rate: 99%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 13:1
- Enrollment: 1,337
- Graduation rate: 36%
- Median earnings: $41,700
- Two-year employment rate: 93%
At Dickinson State University, associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degree options range from computer science to elementary education. The school’s mission is to enhance economic, political, and social development and to provide high-quality academia to the state of North Dakota.
#6 Presentation College
- Tuition + fees: $22,006
- Location: Aberdeen, SD
- Acceptance rate: 93%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 11:1
- Enrollment: 598
- Graduation rate: 47%
- Median earnings: $34,700
- Two-year employment rate: 91%
At Presentation College, students receive career preparation and high-quality education in an atmosphere of high moral values and camaraderie. It offers undergraduate degrees in criminal justice and sports management, a comprehensive nursing program, and a graduate program for nurse practitioners. The presentation also provides online nursing and radiology degree options.
#7 Finlandia University
- Tuition + fees: $24,576
- Location: Hancock, MI
- Acceptance rate: 83%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 11:1
- Enrollment: 402
- Graduation rate: 26%
- Median earnings: $32,400
- Two-year employment rate: 89%
Finlandia Univerity is a private, co-ed institution founded on Evangelical Lutheran values located in the northernmost corner of Michigan. It offers degrees in business, health sciences, art and design, and the arts and sciences.
#8 God’s Bible School and College
- Tuition + fees: $7,046
- Location: Cincinnati, OH
- Acceptance rate: 81%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 7:1
- Enrollment: 314
- Graduation rate: 43%
- Median earnings: $22,600
- Two-year employment rate: 78%
At God’s Bible School and College, the motto is “academically excellent, growth-oriented, student-centered, and financially sound.” This institution offers associate’s and bachelor’s degrees in accounting, criminal justice, theology, marketing, and more. This college roots its programs in biblical principles and values.
#9 Valley City State University
- Tuition + fees: $13,422
- Location: Valley City, ND
- Acceptance rate: 81%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 13:1
- Enrollment: 1,523
- Graduation rate: 45%
- Median earnings: $39,300
- Two-year employment rate: 93%
With majors and minors such as computer science, mathematics, psychology, and more, the opportunities at Valley City State University are expansive. This school’s mission is to provide higher education in a vibrant, student-centered community and to enrich the North Dakota community through high-quality academics.
#10 Cottey College
- Tuition + fees: $24,960
- Location: Nevada, MO
- Acceptance rate: 61%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 6:1
- Enrollment: 303
- Graduation rate: 54%
- Median earnings: $33,500
- Two-year employment rate: 92%
Cottey College is an all-women’s institution that provides high-quality education to promote leadership, social responsibility, and global awareness amongst its student population. It offers associate’s and bachelor’s degrees in criminology, psychology, biology, and much more.
